1 . Foreword
Pest plants and animals are a serious threat to our region ’ s economic , social and environmental sustainability . They adversely affect the healthy function of ecosystems , reduce primary industry productivity and profitability , and can have significant impacts on a raft of social , recreational and health values .
In contrast to the enormous costs of pest plants and animals , the resources available for managing them are limited . Collaboration and aligning effort are key to ensuring maximum value of those resources .
In 2008 , NQ Dry Tropics facilitated a process that brought together regional players in pest management ; including infrastructure managers , and local and state government representatives . An early product of that process was the Burdekin region ’ s first Regional Pest Management Strategy . Since then , NQ Dry Tropics has continued to provide support and stewardship to the Strategy and the Regional Pest Management Group . The Regional Pest Management Group is a stakeholder group represented by state and local government , natural resource management , infrastructure , industry and community groups and local Traditional Owners .
The Regional Pest Management Group has remained committed to a collaborative regional process . As part of
that ongoing commitment , the group , with support from NQ Dry Tropics , has continued to update its strategic intent . This document represents the strategic intent of the group for 2020-2025 where regional collaboration and coordination will continue to refine the pest plant and animal priorities of Local Government Biosecurity Plans . Recognising that any strategic approach needs to quickly adapt to emerging priorities and opportunities , this document is being developed and maintained by NQ Dry Tropics within a web-based environment .
Pest plant and animal issues do not exist in isolation from broader land and water management considerations . As such , this Regional Pest Management Strategy will continue to link to the management goals and activities of the Burdekin Dry Tropics Natural Resource Management Plan ( 2016-2026 ).
NQ Dry Tropics is proud of what has been achieved by the Regional Pest Management Group . But the task of delivering against the strategy goes beyond the group and requires broad support from other organisations , agencies and community groups . Therefore , I invite anyone interested in supporting this strategy to contact our Regional Pest Management Group .
Dr . Scott Crawford CEO NQ Dry Tropics
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P3 | RPMS 2020-2025 P3